A nearby casino talks about “the wonder of it all.” At their graduation Thursday, Ledyard High School seniors considered the many wonders of their school, zeroing in on seven.

Less-than-state-of-the-art alarm and heating systems, cutthroat lunch lines and the treacherous parking lot were among the “wonders” lampooned by speakers during outdoor commencement exercises at the school’s Bill Mignault Field.

“The alarm system is set go off only on days when it’s pouring rain or blizzarding out,” graduate Erika Johnson said.

The school’s Ledyard Scholars, students who have maintained an A average for all four years, were determined to keep the mood light. The class of 2010 graduated 19 Ledyard Scholars, the most of any year, Principal Louis Gabordi said.

“Serious things are boring,” Taylor Gunnels said to the delight of his classmates.

Somber moments did occur, however. The school gave out its first Matthew Buriak Scholarship, named in honor of a football player who died last year. Buriak’s sister, Melissa, hugged Nickolas Palermo after giving the award to the sports and music star.

Joanie Drake, who won the school’s journalism achievement award, read her poem “Bittersweet,” fulfilling her role as poet laureate.

Stay happy

The mix of emotions was good practice for life, Gabordi told the graduates, urging them to find solace in learning.

“Remaining happy can be hard work,” he said. “This may sound simplistic, but the main purpose of education is to make one happy.”

Class president Laura Erhart likened high school to a game show, calling her graduation a “scary yet exciting prospect.” She named 18 game shows in her speech, ending the address with “Deal or No Deal.”

“I’m trying hard not to be the weakest link,” she said.

The students mixed honor and humor in giving several awards to teachers. Teacher Sarah Shear, a rabid sports booster, was given the Spirit of Ledyard Award. Teacher John Conlon was recognized reverently yet simply as “Da Man” by graduate Ryan Pollin.

Relating better to the environment can be a way of improving human relations, graduate Chase Philpot told the class.

“We need to become global citizens,” he said. “We are all human. Walk the Earth with love in your heart and brotherhood in your mind.”

Board of Education Chairwoman Sharon Hightower handed out diplomas to the 238 graduates. Superintendent of Schools Michael Graner and Gabordi shook hands with each student, in some cases embracing and backslapping them.

Parents, relatives and friends cheered wildly from the football bleachers. Earlier nervous laughter had come from those same people after graduates joked that the bleachers — first on their list of “wonders” — could collapse any moment.

The humor was proof to Gabordi that his joy message had gotten through.